AFAIK, allergies were not as widespread before as it is now. The numbers of persons affected by allergies seems to go up exponentionaly. Some experts have advanced that pollution may play a big role on the increase of allergies. That may explain why we see more and more case of allergies.

>A question: I've heard of peanut allergy and how dangerous can it be about the time we came here. Not before (IOW, it was unknown back home; we do eat peanuts as such, but don't use them as ingredient in food and specially not in cakes and condiments; however, hazelnuts, almonds and walnuts are quite common; still, haven't ever heard of anyone being alergic to that). I assume these allergies were around before my time - so, how come that I've witnessed the movement to get peanut (and other nut) food out of school cafeterias? Dangerous as it is, shouldn't it have been dealt with long ago, like - decades ago? I don't understand that part.